Welcome to Exe Valley Railway.com

The Exe Valley Railway was a branch line in Devon built by the Great Western Railway.It was in constant use from 1884 until the line was closed to passengers on the 7th October 1963.

It ran for almost 25 miles through beautiful Devon countryside and is still a happy memory for those who were lucky enough to travel along this picturesque route.

Although the line has been dismantled,most of the line remains unbuilt on,a tantalising thought that leaves open the possibility,however small,of the track one day being relaid and once again people travelling by train this beautiful route.

Dulverton

Morebath Junction Halt

Bampton

Cove Halt

Bolham Halt

Tiverton

West Exe Halt

Cadeleigh

Burn Halt

Thorverton

Up Exe Halt

Brampford Speke

Stoke Canon

Exeter St.David's

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What it Looks Like Today: Bampton Station

Today I set out to explore the small town of Bampton's railway past.No Christine today,but I was assisted by my 8 year old boy Camlin and my 7 year old daughter Idony,who were not only good company,but also took some good pictures,some of which I have used in this piece.

At first when you look at the small car park in Bampton it is difficult to believe that once this was a bustling little train station and that the platforms are actually still there under all the earth,rubble and tarmac.

Take a closer look and do some research however and you will see that there are many clues to Bampton's railway past.

Click on the buttons to switch between how it used to look and how it looks today

We walked up High Street to look at the recycled rails on the buildings (orange map marker).These have been placed there to help to protect the buildings from vehicles in this narrow old road.

We walked back down and then turned right.In the garden of one of the houses here,is a superbly preserved lamp post (yellow map marker),that I am fairly sure has been rescued from the old station.

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News From Down the Line

Every now and then when I talk to people and they hear of my interest in the Exe Valley Railway,they tell me little bits of information or recall an old memory.It always amazes me how even today,more than 50 years after it's closure,the fondness with which people remember the railway and how fresh the memories seem to be to them.

This little section of the website is to pass on to you these little "titbits" and any other small pieces of information that I have come across.

- LATEST NEWS-

04/09/18I was recently contacted by one of our readers Barry Hilton,who when younger visited the Southwest and took some pictures down at Exeter St.Davids.This is what he told me.

"Taken 'in my teens', by a SLR Dacora II camera, on Ilford colour film, 120 size negs (2 1/4 inch square). It was the only colour film that I used as they were relatively expensive for me at the time, something like 22/6d.Taken in the summer of 1962 as a result of a family holiday in the South West, I would travel the railway systems of the area taking photos whilst the rest of the family spent most of the time on the beach. I seem to remember buying a 'runabout' ticket for 10/6d which covered all the Exe Valley system at the time."

Memories of the EVR

If you have any memories of the Exe Valley Railway that you would like to share with us,please get in contact with me and maybe we could publish them on our website.Likewise,if you have any photographs or film related to the railway that you would like to share,please contact me.

Exe Valley Railway Quiz

How much do you know about the Exe Valley Railway?Take our quiz and find out!